Automatic apparatus for the drying of the glue and the transfer of packets of cigarettes and the like from the exit of a packaging machine



Aprll 28, 1970 A. SERAGNOLI 3,508,381

7 AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR THEIDRY'ING OF THE GLUE AND THE TRANSFER OF PACKETS OF CIGARETTES AND THE LIKE FROM THE EXIT OF A PACKAGING MACHINE- Filed May 2, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

rios Io aseragnoIi 3,508,381 AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR THE DRYING OF THE GLUE AND THE Aprl 28, 197 A. SERAGNOLI TRANSFER OF PACKETS OF CIGARETTES AND THE LIKE FROM THE EXIT OF A PACKAGING MACHINE 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 2,

April 28, 1970 A. SERAGNOLI AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR THE DRYING OF THE GLUE AND THE TRANSFER OF PACKETS OF CIGARETTES AND THE LIKE FROM THEEXIT OF A PACKAGING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

BY u

gen g A. SERAGNOLI Aprll 28, 1970 3,508,381

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR THE- DRYING OF THE GLUE AND THE TRANSFER OF PACKETS OF CIGARETTES AND THE LIKE FROM THE EXIT OF A PACKAGING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IZNMENTOR Ario5\'o bevagnoh BY (i x 9e, n1";

Apnl 28, 1970 A. SERAGNOLI 3,508,381

' AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR THE DRYING OF THE GLUE AND THE TRANSFER OF PACKETS 0F CIGARETTES AND THE LIKE FROM THE EXIT OF A PACKAGING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1968 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Ariosro 5era noli Apnl 28, 1970 A. SERAGNOLI 3,508,381

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR THE DRYING OF THE GLUE AND THE TRANSFER OF PACKETS OF GIGARETTES AND THE LIKE FROM THE EXIT OF A PACKAGING MACHINE Filed May 2, 1968 i 6 Sheets-Sheet 6,

Fig.6

I NVENTOR.

Ariosl'o eragholi BY M I AQQQQQ United States Patent 3,508,381 AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR THE DRYING OF THE GLUE AND THE TRANSFER OF PACKETS 0F CIGARETTES AND THE LIKE FROM THE EXIT OF A PACKAGING MACHINE Ariosto Seragnoli, Via Delle Rose 50, Bologna, Italy Filed May 2, 1968, Ser. No. 726,140 Claims priority, application Italy, May 15, 1967, 1,652/ 67 Int. Cl. B65b 51/10 U.S. Cl. 53387 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to an automatic apparatus for drying the glued portions ofand for transferringthe packets of cigarettes egressing from a packing machine, comprising at least one column for receiving, in piles, the packets at the base of said column, the packets introduced in the column rising therein step by step and reaching the top of the column after the necessary drying time.

This invention refers to an automatic apparatus for the drying of the glueing and the transfer of packets of cigarettes and the like coming from the exit of a packing machine or similar in which they are subjected to successive operations of paperpacking (wrapping) and glueing.

It is known that the automatic conditioning machine for conditioning cigarettes in packets provides for a succession of operations during which the preparation, folding and glueing of different materials occurs, intended to constitute the various layers of the envelope components of the packet itself. Because the materials intended to constitute the envelopes are, as has been said, glued in a predetermined area, so as to be able to shape, after the folding, the envelope itself, it is necessary, at the end of the operation of conditioning, to dry the glueing material.

Consequently in the machine usually used in the production of packets of cigarettes it is provided for having the formed packets subjected, at the exit from the conditioning line, to a heating which accelerates the drying of the sticking material. This is obtained, for example, by means of electrical resistors, or other thermic radiating members but their use is not free from inconveniences. It is sufiicient to remember the necessity of having to continually control the temperature of the heating element in relation to the thermic requirements of the drying operation, or the possibility that the heating elements could, for any reason function irregularly, or still the necessity for conducting frequent maintenance operations, and so on.

A principal object of the invention is to obviate the above-mentioned inconveniences by providing an automatic apparatus in which the drying of the glueing material occurs without having to resort to the use of ambient heat, and in consequence of heating elements, by this liberating the production cycle of the packets of cigarettes from these inconveniences.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus in which the packets of cigarettes are constantly guided, during their movement inside the apparatus itself, and in which the glued areas are constantly subjected to pressure action which prevents the possibility of accidental separation of the glued edges, for example because of an insufficiency of glue.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which allows the transfer and drying of an increased number of packets per unit time, so that 3,508,381 Patented Apr. 28, 1970 the apparatus may be usefully associated with a conditioning machine having a great packing production speed.

A further purpose of the present invention is that of providing an apparatus which during the drying of the packets does not submit the packets themselves, and in consequence the cigarettes contained inside them, to any harmful stress, especially in an axial direction with respect to the cigarettes, thus guaranteeing the absolute integrity of the form of the contents of the cigarettes them selves.

These and other objects, which will be better apparent from the following, are achieved by an automatic apparatus for the transfer of packets of cigarettes from the lined of exit of a packing machine or the like, which is characterized, from a general point of view, in that it comprises at least one column at the point of the exit of said line, means for the introduction of the packets proceeding from the packing machine to the base of said column, and underneath the previously introduced packets, so that they appear to be in superimposed arrangements inside the column, the packets already introduced rising step by step with the introduction of successive packets and reaching the top of the column after a time suitable for obtaining the drying of the glue of the packets.

More particularly in a practical embodiment the automatic apparatus is characterized in that it comprises at least a pair of chambers, in side by side arrangement, capable of each receiving one packet of cigarettes, means to place said chambers alternately in alignment with the line of exit of the packets from the packing machine in synchronism with their progress pace, at least one pair of columns to house superimposed packets, each column overhanging one of the chambers of said pair of chambers when second of said chambers is in alignment with the line of exit of the packets spring means beneath said column, and capable of raising the packet received in one of said chambers, when the second of said chambers, is in alignment with the line of exit of the packets and to insert it into the base of said overhanging column, means for retaining the superimposed packets beneath the bases of said columns, the packets of cigarettes rising inside the column at a rate with the introduction of other packets to the base, and remaining there for an interval of time such as to effect the drying of the glued areas of the packets.

Further characteristics and advantages will better appear from the detailed description of an embodiment, which is a preferred one, but not exclusive, of an apparatus according to the invention, illustrated indicatively, and not limitingly, in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows part in view and part in vertical longitudinal sections according to different planes, the members which distribute the packets to the drying columns;

FIG. 2 shows the same members in vertical and trasversal section.

FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively show the areas below and above the drying column, part in view and part in vertical cross section according to different planes and FIGS. 5 and 6, show the same areas illustrated respectively in FIGS. 3 and 4, part in view and part in vertical longitudinal section.

With reference to the above figures, the apparatus according to the invention is situated at the end of the line of conditioning of a packet forming machine, and is disposed so as to -be able to receive the packets which, at the exit of said line, are conveyed in file, as the successive packets are formed.

The apparatus comprises a principal driving shaft 1 supported by a fixed frame, which is caused to rotate through known means by an independent motion source, or through the interposition of driven means.

By the principal shaft of the conditioning machine, not shown, for example by means of toothed wheels 3 and 4 in mesh between themsleves and respectively keyed on said shaft 1 and on shaft '5 deriving the movement from said conditioning machine. On said shaft 1 three cams 6, 7 and 8 are rigidly mounted. The cam 6 is of the disc type with frontal eccentric groove, the groove being indicated by reference numeral 9. In such groove engages a roller 10 which rotates about a shaft carried from the end of a lever to the corner 12 pivoted in 13 and attached to fixed pin =14. The lever 12 extends upwards, and its upper end is attached to a link 15 pivoted, at its other end to a fixed transverse axle 16 restrained at its end by a pair of rod-like elements, 17 and 18, which are in parallel and in side by side arrangement, axially sliding in synchronism i.e. perpendicularly to the driving shaft 1, as will be better appreciated further. During their sliding which is reciprocal, said elements 17 and 18 are guided by the rollers 19 sliding into the guides 20.

A box-like element 21 is supported by rod-like elements 17 and 18, and is secured to them, by the feet 22. The element 21 essentially comprises two external vertical walls 23 and 24 and an internal bafile partition 25, in a median position; the upper part of the box-like member is opened while, in correspondence with the bottom, it is provided, at one side and the other of the bafile 25, with two pairs of longitudinal parallel splits 26 and 27 of appropriate widths to allow the introduction of push and lift members which will be described later. Inside the element 21, two chambers 28 and 29 are thus defined, of a section corresponding to the cross section of the packets of cigarettes to be transferred. As has been said, the element 21 is attached to the rods .17 and 18, by the support feet 22, whereby it is subjected, in rigid connection relationship with said rod-like members 17 and 18, to a reciprocal movement. The arrangement of the member 21 is such that the chambers 28 and 29 are positioned in alignment, alternately during its movement, with a canal 30 along which the advance of the packets P of cigarettes occurs, which packets are arranged in file coming from the line of packing and glueing of the packets themselves. Therefore said chambers 28 and 29 are arranged so as to alternately constitute the extension of the pipe 30. The transverse end section of the chambers 28 and 29, opposite the insertion section adjacent to the pipe 30, is provided with a stopping Wall 31 for the introduced packets P.

The drum cam 7 controls the push-and-lift members capable of expelling the packets of cigarettes alternately from the chambers 28 and 29. In the peripheral groove 32 of said cam 7, whose course is unsymmetrical, a roller 33 engages which rotates about its own shaft 34 running from the end of a bell-crank lever 35 pivoted by the shaft 36 carried by the fixed case. The other end of the lever 35 is pivoted in 37, to a link 38 which is pivoted, in 39, to a coupling element 40 connected with a vertical rod 41. The latter moving vertically in the fixed case, is guided below by the support 32, and carries above a fork-shaped push-and-lift member 43 Whose arms are aligned in a vertical direction with the previously mentioned slit 26 in order to be able to enter chamber 28, crossing its entire length, when the chamber 29 is in alignment with the pipe 30.

Likewise, a second roller, not shown in the drawing, engages in the groove 32 of the cam 7 in a position which is diametrically opposite with respect to the roller 33. Said second roller is revolvingly connected, through its own pivotal shaft to the end of a second bell-crank lever 34 pivoted about the aforementioned shaft 36 running from the fixed case and attached at its other end to a vertical shaft 45 bearing at its top a push-and-lift member 46. The arms of the fork 46 are aligned with the slit 27 of the chamber 29 when the chamber 28 is aligned with the pipe 30. In such a position, the fork 46 may penetrate crosswise in said chamber 29, throughout its length.

The drum cam 8 is provided with a peripheral groove 46 of unsymmetrical course. In said groove a first idle roller 48 is engaged, whose shaft of rotation is supported by a bell-crank lever, 49, which, since it is pivoted on the shaft 50 running from the fixed case, is provided at its free end with a cubical projection 51.

To the samelever 49 an arm 52 is secured, which is attached, near the shaft 50 and extends upwards; said shaft supports, on the upper side, a plate 53 which extends horizontally, cantilever-wise.

With the said lever 49 cooperates a small bell-crank lever 54 pivoted in 55 and provided externally with an aperture 56 of size corresponding to that of the projection 51, so that the latter may be associated slidingly. The same lever 54 is moreover provided at its other end with a horizontal plate 57 which extends canterlever-wise, symmetrically confronting the plate 53. The plates 53 and 57 are situated in the region of the aperture of the chamber 29 when the chamber 28 is in alignment with the pipe 30. Consequently in such a situation the plates 53 and 57 constitute a closing surface above said chamber 29. In similar fashion in the groove 47 of the cam 8 engages in a diametrically opposite position to that of the roller 58 a further roller not shown which in a manner exactly equivalent to what has been shown up to now is in relationship with a further pair of small plates 53 and 57 facing each other which constitute the closing cover of the chamber 28 when the chamber 29 is aligned with the pipe 30.

From the above it is manifest that the box element 21 performs a reciprocal movement which brings once the chamber 28 and once the chamber 29 into alignment with the guiding pipe 30 of the packets P of cigarettes. That is to say reciprocal movements of the member 21 cover a space corresponding to about the width of three packets of cigarettes.

When the chamber 29 in side-by-side arrangement comes into alignment with the introduction pipe of the cigarettes 30 the chamber 28 is carried in correspondence to the base of the loading and drying column shown in its entirety by reference numeral 58. When on the contrary it is the chamber 28 which is aligned with the pipe 30, the chamber 29 is carried in the range of the base of a second loading column 58a parallel to the first (see FIGS. 3 and 6). Because said columns 58 and 58a have a section substantially corresponding to the larger longitudinal section of the packet it results that said colums 58 and 58a are interspaced by a distance approximately of the width of a packet.

The drying column 58 is defined by a pair of fixed walls 59 and 60 and by a pair of walls 61 and 62 perpendicular to the previously mentioned walls and thus parallel between each other. The internal cross section of the column approximately corresponds to the larger of the sections of the packet of cigarettes. The column is therefore in a position to receive the packets lying on their larger side and superimposed. The wall 61 is defined by an access door, which may be spring opened by means of a handle 63 the wall 62 is instead attached in its upper section 62, while it may be oscillated in its lower section about a horizontal pivoting shaft 64. The development in height of the column is in relation to the problem which will be hereinafter discussed.

The second drying column 58a parallel to the column 58, is achieved in a fashion exactly analogous to the latter one whereby the corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference numerals, with the addition of the letter a.

The motorization of the elements relative to the above mentioned column is achieved by means of a shaft 65. On it is keyed a chain wheel 66, which is caused to rotate by a prime motion source, not shown, which source may be in relationship with the same main shaft of the conditioning machine, or be independent. In the case represented and visible in FIGS. 3 and 5, this chain wheel 66 receives the movement through the transmission chain 67 and the gear wheel 68, from a chain wheel not visible in the figure and rigidly mounted on shaft 69 on which is also keyed the chain wheel 70 which receives the movement from said primary motion source.

Said shaft -65 carries, at an end, a chain wheel 71. Furhermore on the shaft 65 in the range of the area included between the two columns, two angular grooves are machined out, determining corresponding parts 72 and 73 which are excentric with respect to the shaft, and out of alignment between each other. Therefore the shaft 65 is in fact a cam shaft, in which the cams are formed by the shafts 72 and 73.

On the portion or cam 73 engages the groove formed by the fork shaped end of a lever 74. This is pivoted on a shaft 75 revolvingly carried by the fixed structure and on which a lever or arm 76 is carried. At the free end of said arm 76 is pivoted in 77 a portion or lever 78, which is substantially horizontal and whose free end is shaped .to a hook 79. This latter connects to a bridge member 80 attached to the wall 62. The lever 78 is under the action of an elastic spring '81, an end of which is secured in 82 to said lever 78 and whose second end is attached in 83 to the fixed structure of the machine. Thus the wall 62 of the column 58 is caused to oscillate about the shaft 64. In order to make a wall 62a of the column 58a oscillate about the shaft 64a, a further bell-crank lever 74a cooperates in an exactly analogous manner with the cam 72 of the shaft 65.

For such reason the same reference numerals provided with a letter a, are used to indicate the elements corresponding to those seen up to now and which are related to column 58.

It may be understood therefore, since the cams 72 and 73 are disaligned between themselves, the walls '62 and 62a of the columns 58 and 58a are submitted, as far as their bases are concerned to a spring-biased oscillating out-of-phase movement of the action exerted by the respective spring 84 which is of adjustable action by means of the adjustable screws 85.

The same shaft 65 puts in rotation, through the chain wheel 71 and the chain 86, a second chain wheel 87, keyed on a shaft 88 on which is similarly keyed a further chain wheel 89.

Through said chain wheel 89 the motorization of all the members situated in the upper parts of the columns 58 and 58a occurs. To such purpose, the chain wheel 89 actuates, through a chain 90, a chain wheel 91, with the aid of the two idle wheels 92 and 93.

With the chain wheel 91 a cog wheel 95 revolves in rigid connection with its own shaft 94. Said wheel 95 engages with a second cog wheel 96, revolving in rigid relationship with its own shaft 97. The shaft 94 is supported by a plate-like member 98 which similarly supports the shaft 99 of a further cog wheel 100 kept in permanent engagement with the wheel 95. The aforesaid plate-like member 98 is attached to a pin 101 revolving in the fixed framework or structure of the apparatus and carrying, attached thereto, a plate .102 provided underneath with a slot 103 inside which engaged a locking screw 104, which may be screwed into fixed framework. Accordingly the actuation and the direction of rotation of the wheel 96, as well as all the members connected to it, which will be further described, which generally occurs directly by means of the wheel 95, can easily be reserved by slackening the screw 104 and causing the plate 98 to rotate about its own shaft 101. In this case the engagement between the wheels 95 and 96 comes to an end, said wheels being spaced apart between each other, while the wheel 96 meshes with the wheel 100, which receives the movement from said wheel 95, with which it is always in mesh. On the shaft 97 is keyed a plurality of synchronization cams 105, capable of operating each on the actuation member of a corresponding microswitch 106 and a further chain wheel 107, which, by means of a chain 108, causes an overhanging chain wheel 109 to rotate, said chain wheel being supported by a shaft 110 which is in rigidly connection with it. A chain stretching wheel 111 is supported by a plate 112 whose angular position can be adjusted by known means 113, thus adjusting in consequence the tension of the chain 108. The above mentioned shaft 110 motorizes the members situated in the upper head of the apparatus, in which the transfer of the packets of cigarettes is effected, which proceed from the bottom through the columns 58 and 58a. The packets of cigarettes thus proceed forward towards possible successive work stations, which may be, for example, constituted of a cellophane-wrapping machine or other machines. The upper head constitutes therefore the functional extension of said columns 58 and 58a.

The shaft 110 extends approximately for a length equal to the distance between the parallel columns 58 and 58a and carries on one side and the other two chain wheels 114 and 115 rigidly connected to it. Said wheels 114 and .115 cause a first chain 116 and a second chain 117 to rotate respectively, which develop in horizontal directions, covering all the width of the head, and closing on cogwheels 118 and 119 respectively. The links of the chain 116 have attached at regular intervals, horizontal pushing arms 120 which project to the vertical passing through the mouth section of the column 58. In an exactly analogous manner, to the links of the chain 117 are attached horizontal arms 121 which extend upwards in correspondence to said vertical of the column 58a.

Considering again the column 58, at the level of the upper edge of the fixed wall 122 overhanging the door 61, a horizontal plane originates, which is supported by a guide 123, on which the packets of cigarettes coming from said column are directed. A section of said plane 123, indicated by 124, may be tilted.

The said section is attached in 125 to a revolving shaft .126 supported in 127 by lateral feet 59 and 60 of the column 58.

To said shaft a radial arm 128 is secured which is locked by means of a link 129 to the movable element 130 of an electromagnet 131. In normal conditions the plane 124 is kept in line with the plane 123 by means of the action of a return spring 132, which is attached at an end, in 133, to the fixed framework of the machine and is connected at the other end, in 134, to a further radial arm likewise attached to the rotatable shaft 126.

The correct alignment of the two planes 123 and 124 is assured by the fixed abutment 136.

The excitation or energization of the electromagnet 131, is brought about by a pulse from a memorizer which is activated, as will be explained hereinafter, by a pairs of metal sensing members like those referred to by reference numerals 137 and 138, which are inserted in series in an electrical circuit or alternatively also, if conveniently positioned, said memorizer may be activated directly by such metal sensing members or sensors. Said sensors 137 and 138 are pivoted in 139 and 140 respectively and are subjected to the action of pressure springs 141 and 142 respectively.

A second pair of sensing members 143 and 144, maintained inspring-biased engagement against the surfaces of the packets by the action of the springs 145 and 146, act in similar manner, said second pair also acting upon the excitation of the electromagnet 131.

Naturally an exactly equivalent and symmetrical structure is carried out in relation to the second column 58a. The corresponding related elements of such a column are therefore indicated with the same reference numerals, provided with the letter a.

The working of the apparatus will now be described, remembering briefly the problem which it is intended to solve.

As has been said, the packets of cigarettes coming from the conditioning line are still wet in the area in which the glueing of the envelope has been effected. Since it is necessary to leave the glueing material to dry before dispatching the packets of cigarettes to successive work stations in the apparatus according to the invention at least one column has been provided and in the represented embodiment two such columns have been provided in which the packets of cigarettes are inserted from the bottom. As the packets reach the columns, they are introduced the bottom underneath the packets previously housed in them and the arrival of new packets determines the progressive rising of the pile of superimposed packets.

When considering the progress of one of the packets, it may be seen that it arrives in file with the other packets, from the conditioning line and enters the bottom base of the column positioning itself underneath the pile of packets previously housed.

Here begins an ascending movement, with vertical intermittent advancements, until the packet arrives at the top part of the column from which it is forwarded to successive handling stations. During its stay inside the column which is calculated according to certain averages and by means of a simultaneous compression action exerted on the surfaces of the packet, by the superimposed packets, a natural drying of the glueing material is caused. It is understood, therefore, that the level of the column must be in relationship with the speed of vertical advancement of the packet inside it and thus in fact with the processing capacity of the conditioning machine which feeds said column and also with the characteristics of the sticking material and the like.

This said, the detailed description of the working of the apparatus will now be described. The packets P of cigarettes formed successively by the conditioning machine are directed into the guide 30 and there in file, advance in step under the thrusting action of the following packets as they progressively arrive. At a certain moment, a packet will completely penetrate the inside of one of the chambers 28 and 29 illustrated which is in alignment with the pipe 30. Having reference to the instant in the drawings, it may be seen that in that situation the packet is inserted in chamber 28, while the upper plates 53 and 57 are horizontally disposed, thus closing by means of a movable bottom and lower mouth of the housing column 58. Successively, by means of the rotation of the cam 6, the rod-like elements 17 and 18 are axially translated under the action of the lever 12, and in consequence the member 21 translate with them, up to the point where the chamber 29 is brought in alignment with the pipe 30, and the chamber 28, inside which is now situated the packet of cigarettes, is brought in correspondence with the base of the column 58. Simultaneously with the rotation of cam 8, the plate 53 attached to the arm 52, turns about the pivot 50 thereof, while the member 51 which is also associated to such rotation, sliding inside the slot 51 causes a counteraction about the shaft 55 of the arm 54 to occur. Thus an angular movement of the plates 53 and 57 is caused to occur, in opposite direction and externally with respect to the chamber 28.

Therefore the chamber itself is put in communication with the base of the overhanging column 58. In phase with the respective separation of the plates 53 and 57, occurs the raising of the fork push-and-lift element 43 controlled by the cam 7. The arms of the fork 43 are inserted in the slit 26 of the chamber 28 and they push from the bottom to the top the packet which is in such chamber all the pile of superimposed packets previously inserted into the column 58 acting on said packet. Therefore the fork 43 raises the packet in correspondence to the inside of the column, there forming the base of the packets already present.

Naturally all of the other packets advance inside the column, from the base or bottom towards the top, at a rate corresponding to the thickness of the packet just introduced.

Obviously when the chamber 29 is carried in its turn in alignment with the pipe 30, a new packet is introduced there, in a manner which is exactly equivalent to what has been seen from the proceeding.

At the end of the operation just described the rod-like members 17 and 18 are again translated in a direction contrary to the previous until the chamber 28 is brought into alignment with pipe 30. Before such movement happens, the fork 43 retracts under the plane of the base of the chamber 28 while the plates 53 and 57 return in horizontal aligned position to support the pile of packets inside the housing column 58.

The packet introduced in the meantime into the chamber 29 is now positioned in correspondence to the base of the column 58a and there the same operations previously described will take place. It is apparent therefore that all the packets of cigarettes coming from the conditioning line are distributed alternately in the columns 58- and 58a, in which they advance intermittently, remaining constantly piled. It must be noted in this connection, that since the superimposed packets are laying one upon the other, they are pressing reciprocally, but do not exert any stress in a longitudinal direction, i.e. in the axial sense of the cigarettes. This with the intention, which has been several times stated of avoiding damage to the cigarettes themselves.

Since the bottom section of the walls 62 and 62a of the columns are arranged so as to be capable of rotating by means of the reciprocal movement of the hooks 78 and 78a connected through the levers 74 and 74a to the cam shaft 65, facilitating the arrangement of the packets of cigarettes inside the column. Moreover a light compression action is exerted as a consequence of such movement of the walls 62 and 620, on the glued bottom of the packets, thus consolidating the grip of the glueing materials. Such action due to the fact, that it is of light force and because of the interposition of numerous envelopes which already wrap the cigarettes, has no effect on the final integrity of the cigarettes themselves.

The time taken by the packets to arrive from the base to the top of the column is, as has been said, in relation to the time necessary for the natural drying of the glueing materials.

Before arriving at the top of the respective columns, the packets pass in near two sensitive members. The first of them, formed of the pair of plate or blade members 137 and 138 (or 137a and 138a respectively), is designed to indicate the passage of a defective packet, or more exactly a packet without said stamp or label or sealing tape. To such purpose it is to be remembered that the upper edge of the packet, corresponding to the area in which normally the aperture for the removal of the cigarettes is effected, is made of tin foil. This edge is sealed by a stamp or small label, sealing or tape piece. But it might happen, for any reason, that the sealing tape would not be applied to one or more packets. Since the packet has said upper edge facing the pair of elements 137 and 138 (137a and 138a) these are disposed in manner such as to maintain contact with the said base exactly in correspondence with the sealing tape. It is remembered also that the said elements are inserted in series in an electrical circuit including directly the electromagnet 131 or the said memorizer. The circuit however is normally opened and closed when a contact is established between said elements 137 and 138 (137a and 138a). Therefore when the sealing tape is there, since it is made of paper material, it acts as an insulator between said blades 137 and 138 (137a and 138a). However if a packet of cigarettes without sealing tapes arrives in the sensing position, the members 137 and 138 (137a and 138a) graze directly against the tin foil which being a moderate conductor, will close the connection between said members themselves.

These will directly activate the electromagnet 131 or will sensitize the memorizer which, when the packet of cigarettes arrives in correspondence with the tiltable plane 124 (124a), it will excite or activate said electromagnet 131 (131a) which, by attracting the movable element 130 (130a) will determine the tilting of the same plane 124 (124a) and the consequent removal of the packet without said stamp of sealing tape.

In exactly similar manner to senser pairs 143 and 144 (143a and 144a) operate which are however designed to sense the possible lack of the label above the first tin foil envelope of the passing packets. Also in this case the defective packet would be removed through the tiltable plane 124 (124a).

The packets which arrive in succession, in step, at the ends of the columns, and therefore with their bottom edges aligned to the guide plane 123 (123a) are put in movement by pushing arms 120 (121) which move continuously in rigid connectionwith the chain 16 (17), are spaced from the column, and guided towards possible successive processing stations.

It has been ascertained in practice that the apparatus, for the transfer and the drying of the packets of cigarettes coming from the conditioning line, according to the invention, perfectly achieved the predetermined objects.

In particular it may be used associated with a conditioning machine of the type in which the operations of forming the packets succeed in transverse direction with the respect to the axis of the cigarettes, since in contrast to what occurs in such machines, in the apparatus according to the invention the cigarettes are never subjected to axial stresses, which guarantees the integrity with respect to the appearance and the contents of the cigarettes themselves.

Moreover the packets of cigarettes, during their movement inside the columns, are constantly contained and guided in relation to all their surfaces while the drying of the sticking material occurs in spontaneous manner and without the use of external heating elements.

For such reasons the apparatus according to the invention may find applications also in the manufacture of other products and particularly of those products which have problems similar to those specific to cigarettes. The invention thus conceived may undergo numerous modifications and variations, all lying within the scope of the inventive concept.

Moreover all the details are capable of replacement by other technically equivalent means.

What is claimed is:

1. In an automatic apparatus for the drying of the glue and the transfer of packets of cigarettes from the exit of a packing machine in which there is at least one column for receiving piles of the packets near said exit, and means for feeding packets coming from the packing machine to the base of said column, and under those previously fed, whereby said packets become arranged superimposed inside said column, the packets fed rising step by step at the rate of the feeding of successive packets, the improvement which comprises; a pair of chambers in sideby-side arrangement capable ofreceiving each packet of cigarettes, means for placing said chambers alternately in alignment with the line of exit of the packets from the packing machine in synchronism with their progress, at least one pair of columns for housing superimposed packets, each column overhanging one of the chambers of said pair of chambers when the second of said chambers is in alignment with the line of exit of the packets, spring means beneath said column capable of raising the packet received in one of said chambers when the second of said chambers is in alignment with the line of exit of the packets and of inserting it into the base of said overhanging column, means for retaining the superimposed packets in correspondence with the bases of said columns, the packets of cigarettes rising inside the column at a rate with the introduction of other packets to the base, and remaining there for an interval of time such as to effect the drying of the glued areas of the packets.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,927,404 9/1933 Jensen 53-387 X 1,969,581 8/1934 Rose 53387 2,904,941 9/1959 Midnight 53387 X TRAVIS S. McGEHEE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 53-53 

